From honour killings to frozen bank accounts, the state’s landmark draft legislation criminalises every weapon used against inter-caste couples
Karnataka is poised to become India’s most legally progressive state on marriage rights, with a sweeping draft bill that treats a citizen’s choice of partner as a constitutionally protected right and punishes anyone who dares to obstruct it.
The Karnataka Freedom of Choice in Marriage and Prevention and Prohibition of Crimes in the Name of Honour and Tradition Bill, 2026, discussed in Cabinet this week, criminalises honour killings, social boycott, economic coercion, and even symbolic acts such as performing death rituals for living persons or forcing couples to declare each other “brother and sister.”
Penalties are unambiguous: honour killings draw a minimum five years, grievous hurt to inter-caste couples carries up to life imprisonment, and social or economic boycott including denying market access, withholding employment, or blocking school admissions becomes a cognisable, non-bailable offence.
“The right to choose one’s partner is protected under the Constitution and cannot be curtailed by family or community pressure,” a senior drafting official stated.
Inspired by a vachana of 12th-century reformer Basavanna, the bill has been referred to the Home Department before returning to Cabinet for final consideration.
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